(March 10) : Oil tumbled in early trading after US President Donald Trump signaled the Iran war could be ending soon, while Asian equities were set to climb after a bullish end to Monday’s session on Wall Street. Volatility shows no signs of letting up as investors weigh a fast-shifting geopolitical conflict with no clear trading playbook. “We expect markets to stay very short-term focused, volatile and headline-driven as the conflict plays out this week,” said Carol Schleif at BMO Private Wealth. Meantime, Trump is expected to review a set of options to tame oil prices, including restricting US exports and waiving some federal taxes, Reuters reported. In Asia, data set for release Tuesday includes industrial production in Malaysia, machine tool orders for Japan, and China trade.

He vowed bombing “at a much, much harder level” if Iran disrupted oil supplies alongside his sanctions pledge. “We’re looking to keep the oil prices down,” Trump said at a news conference at his resort in Doral, Florida. Russia has faced sanctions on its oil revenue in an international bid to deprive the country of revenue over its war in Ukraine. “Together with our Israeli partners, we’re crushing the enemy in an overwhelming display of technical skill and military force,” Trump told Republican lawmakers earlier Monday. Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran and the war in Ukraine, Tass reported Monday, citing Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is well-positioned to manage potential economic fallout from escalating conflict in the Middle East, backed by its status as a net energy exporter and strong economic fundamentals, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said. He said the country's position as a net energy exporter provides a buffer against volatility in global oil markets, even as geopolitical developments could push crude prices higher. "Fundamentally, it is important to recognise that Malaysia is a net energy exporter. He added that petrol supply in the country also remains adequate, with stock levels currently at comfortable levels. Amir Hamzah said this move is aimed at shielding the public from sudden price shocks while the government monitors developments in the Middle East.

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has shut the door on a return to Umno despite the party's recent offer of unconditional readmission for former members. "When I speak of strengthening ties, I am not excluding any party, including Umno. Hamzah described the "reset" agenda as a clean slate to propel Malaysia onto the global stage. Others at the event included MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran, Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, MIPP president Punithan Paramsiven, Berjasa president Zamani Ibrahim and Parti Keluarga Malaysia founder Khairi Jaya. Also seen were Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, PAS' Pendang MP Datuk Awang Solahuddin and Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently announced the 'Rumah Bangsa' initiative, where the party invited former members to return to the party fold without conditions.

PETALING JAYA: From watching the All-England during the Covid-19 pandemic from the quiet confines of his home to finally winning it – fortunes have certainly changed for Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi. "I remember during Covid, I watched my teammates compete at this tournament (2020)," said world No. "I was excited, and from watching it to now being able to play in it and win feels like a dream come true. I never expected myself to win, even from the start of the tournament," said Chun-yi. Earlier, compatriots Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Chan defeated fifth seed French pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue 21-19, 21-19 to become their first mixed doubles All-England winners.

KUALA LUMPUR: Deep-sea exploration company Ocean Infinity (OI) has concluded its latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean, leaving the search area without discovering any new information or data linked to the missing aircraft. Its chief executive officer, Oliver Plunkett, said the company’s vessel officially departed the search zone on Jan 23, in its latest effort to find MH370. Despite not achieving the desired outcome, Plunkett emphasised that eliminating the searched area provides crucial clarity for future efforts. "Ocean Infinity remains committed to the long-term mission of locating the missing aircraft. We’re continuing to work with the Malaysian Government in the hope of being able to return when circumstances allow,” Plunkett said.

IPOH: A man and his aunt have been seriously injured, allegedly stabbed by a family member at a house in Taman Bandar Baru Kampar. Kampar OCPD Supt Nazri Daud said the suspect, Wong Mun Hoe, 58, is believed to have stabbed his son Ming Feng, 22, and sister Siew Poh, 56, in his house at 7.35pm on Sunday (March 8). Supt Nazri said Ming Feng, who is unemployed, was stabbed three times in his neck while Siew Poh was stabbed once on the neck. Supt Nazri said the matter is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt. He was a psychiatric patient at a hospital in Ipoh and has been referred to Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta," he said.

IPOH: An 18-year-old college student has been killed in a freak accident after he was hit by a sickle carried by a foreign worker on a motorcycle in Teluk Intan. Hilir Perak OCPD Asst Comm Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin said in the incident on Monday (March 9), the pillion rider was carrying the sickle that cut the victim's neck while on the road. "Another college student, 17, the deceased's friend, injured his hand," he said in a statement. ACP Bakri said the police have detained two foreign workers aged 39 and 52. "Both suspects will be remanded for investigations under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence," he said.

PAPHOS, Cyprus, ⁠March 9 (Reuters) - ⁠France will send two ‌frigates as part of the European Union's naval ​mission Aspides ⁠in the ⁠Red Sea, French President Emmanuel ⁠Macron ‌said on Monday. "We ⁠are in the process of ​setting ‌upa purely defensive, ⁠purely ​escort mission, which must be prepared ⁠together with both ​European and non-European states," Macron said after ⁠meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister ​Kyriakos ⁠Mitsotakis in Cyprus. (Reporting by ​John Irish ‌and Michele Kambas; ​Writing by Gianluca Lo Nostro)

Before the surge on Monday, Brent had already climbed 27% and WTI by 35.6% last week. Iraq and Kuwait have begun cutting oil output, adding to earlier liquefied natural gas reductions from Qatar, as the war blocked shipments from the Middle East. Analysts expect the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will have to also cut output soon as they run out of oil storage. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation began cutting oil output on Saturday and declared force majeure on shipments, though it did not say how much production it would shut. Meanwhile, as oil prices surged, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called on Trump to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Not contrived: Ng says her job title is not a gimmick created for effect but a role that emerged ­naturally as she built the com­pany. PETALING JAYA: Meet Micky Ng, a “chief imagination officer” and founder of an event agency specialising in conferences. Ng, 44, explained that her job title is not a gimmick created for effect but a role that emerged ­naturally as she built the com­pany. Aina Farhana acknowledged that her job title often draws puzzled looks but it helps signal that her work goes beyond compliance or reporting. Aina Farhana explained that her shift into her current role came from a desire to bridge the gap between technical solutions and human behaviour.

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed concern over the involvement of school-going teenagers in activities linked to terrorist groups in the country. He said the revelation by Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail about such activities must be taken seriously, as it could stem from a misguided upbringing or harmful exposure. “Recently, schoolchildren, even those in their teens, were found to be involved in preparations for acts of violence, as revealed by the Inspector-General of Police. “Children who become involved may have been misled through wrong upbringing or exposure to harmful influences. “This should serve as a warning for us to remain vigilant,” he said when addressing the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s monthly assembly on Monday (March 9).

PETALING JAYA: Taiwan emerged as the biggest winners at the All-England when they swept the men’s singles and mixed doubles titles in Birmingham yesterday. Lin Chun-yi (pic) became his country’s first-ever All-England men’s singles champion after producing a solid performance to beat India’s Lakshya Sen 21-15, 22-20 in the final. It has been a superb year for Chun-yi so far, having also won the Super 750 Indian Open in January. Earlier, his teammates Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Chan also made headlines when they defeated fifth seeds Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue of France 21-19, 21-18 to become Taiwan’s first mixed doubles winners at the oldest tournament. Previously, Tai Tzu-ying had carried the nation’s hopes in the competition, having won the women’s singles title three times in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

PUTRAJAYA (March 9): PKR vice president Datuk Seri R Ramanan on Monday revealed the existence of individuals allegedly acting as provocateurs to incite racial tension in the country. Issues that initially appear small are sensationalised and turned into racial sentiments that could trigger tension,” he told a special press conference here. Ramanan said certain individuals were believed to have been hired as agents of provocation to trigger racial conflict, adding that authorities needed to identify those financing such activities. He said the country’s positive economic performance under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was being manipulated by certain parties through provocations aimed at stirring racial tension and undermining national unity. “When the country’s economy is doing well, unemployment is low at around 2.9% and the ringgit is strengthening, some parties without political capital resort to playing up racial issues to create unrest,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will announce several measures aimed at easing the burden on Malaysians ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The government will also expand the Program Jualan Rahmah Madani nationwide and widen the FlySiswa flight ticket subsidy initiative, he said. "These measures are implemented to help ease the people's burden and allow Malaysians to prepare for Aidilfitri in a calmer and more meaningful manner," he said during a press briefing on Monday (March 9). He said the Prime Minister's Office hopes the assistance and initiatives announced would provide relief to the public, particularly as many continue to face rising cost-of-living pressures. Tengku Nashrul also said the Prime Minister is expected to announce further good news for Malaysians ahead of the festive season.